Stripe Marked Baseball and Softball

ABSTRACT

Softballs and baseballs are provided as training devices to train an athlete to throw a ball with control of rotation. The training device consists of a spherical object covered by two smooth coverings stitched together and an ink or dye stripe or marking of any color around the circumference of the sphere. The training device is manufactured with a stripe which is between 0.75 inches in width and 2.00 inches in width. The stripe on the training device runs perpendicular or oblique to the stitching. When thrown, the stripe allows the athlete to visually identify the rotation which he or she has caused. Once acquired, the ability to control the rotation of a ball minimizes the ability or opportunity for an opponent batter to make efficient and efficacious contact with the ball.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The invention relates, generally, to a device utilized in training a person to pitch or throw a baseball or softball which spins or rotates. A spin or rotation in a thrown ball modifies the trajectory of the ball. The goal of doing so is to negatively impact the batter's perception of the correct trajectory of the ball and thereby cause the batter to ineffectively hit the ball.

2. Description of Related Art

Baseballs and softballs are generally manufactured and sold in a single color. The most common colors manufactured are white and yellow. Baseballs and softballs are generally manufactured from leather, synthetic or composite material which has been precut into two identical pieces. The two pieces are then drawn taught around a core and the two pieces are stitched together. The stitch is most commonly red. It is known in the sports of baseball and softball to modify the standard ball by utilizing black or other contrasting color tape wrapped around the circumference of the ball or marking the ball with a commercially available marker. The purpose of doing so is to provide a visual aid to the pitcher or thrower. By identifying and relating a particular visual perspective to a pitch or throw with the desired trajectory, a pitcher or thrower can learn to manipulate the trajectory by altering his or her grip, release, hand motion and arm motion.

A known limitation of using tape to aid the pitcher or thrower is the effect of the tape on the rotation of the ball. Baseballs and softballs are thrown with sufficient force and velocity that any inconsistency in the surface and consequent drag coefficient of the ball will alter drag force of the ball and, consequently, the trajectory of the ball. Experience has shown that a ball which utilizes tape for visualizing a desired rotation actually rotates differently than a ball with a smooth surface. The visual aid may cause the pitcher or thrower to develop or acquire an improper technique for throwing or pitching the ball.

A further known limitation of equipment taping a ball is the loss of adhesiveness of the tape. When the tape begins to come off of the ball, the adhesive material adheres to the pitcher's hand and glove.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Stripe Marked Baseball and Softball overcomes the disadvantages in the related art by incorporating the marking into the manufacture of the ball. The Stripe Marked Baseball and Softball comprises a baseball or softball of any color, though most commonly white, with a contrasting colored stripe around the circumference of the ball. The stripe is preferably, but not exclusively, black.

One advantage of the invention is that it maintains the smooth surface of the ball. In so doing, the trajectory of the ball is not affected by differing drag force coefficients.

Another advantage of the invention is that it does not require the application of tape which may lose its adhesiveness and impair the user's baseball glove and throwing hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Any commercially available baseball or softball is marked with ink or dye with a stripe [2], [3] and [4] around the circumference of the ball. The stripe runs perpendicular or obliquely to the stitching [1]. The stripe marking can be accomplished using ink, dye or any other material which will penetrate into and remain affixed to the leather, synthetic or composite material of the ball surface.

The preferred embodiments utilize an ink or dye which maximally contrasts with the surface material. Alternatively, a color of ink or dye may be utilized which does not contrast distinctly with the surface material. Nominally, the stripe marking is 0.75 inches in width. Alternatively, a stripe marking ranging from a minimum of 0.20 inches to a maximum of 2.00 inches may be utilized.

Nominally, regulation size baseballs and softballs are utilized. Alternatively, any size baseball or softball may be utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH FIGURE OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the invention utilizing a 0.75 inch wide stripe marking [2]. The stripe marking lies perpendicular and obliquely to the stitching [1] and crosses the four seams at their center.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the invention embodied as in FIG. 1 each rotated 109.5°. These perspectives demonstrate more fully the relative position of the stripe marking [2] to the stitching [1].

FIG. 4 shows the invention utilizing a 0.20 inch wide stripe marking [3]. The stripe marking lies perpendicular and obliquely to the stitching [1] and crosses their four seams at their center.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the invention embodied as in FIG. 4 each rotated 109.5°. These perspectives demonstrate more fully the relative position of the stripe marking [3] to the stitching [1].

FIG. 7 shows the invention utilizing a 2.00 inch wide stripe marking [4]. The stripe marking lies perpendicular and obliquely to the stitching [1] and crosses their four seems at their center.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the invention embodied as in FIG. 7 each rotated 109.5°. These perspectives demonstrate more fully the relative position of the stripe marking [4] to the stitching [1]. 

I claim:
 1. A throwing and pitching training device consisting of a spherical object covered by two smooth coverings stitched together and an ink or dye stripe or marking of any color around the circumference of the sphere.
 2. The training device of claim 1 wherein the stripe is between 0.75 inches in width and 2.00 inches in width.
 3. The training device of claim 1 wherein the stripe runs perpendicular to the stitching.
 4. The training device of claim 1 wherein the stripe runs oblique to the stitching.
 5. The training device of claim 1 as wherein the stripe is between 0.75 inches and 2.00 inches in width and runs either perpendicular or oblique to the stitching.
 6. A training ball used for rotation training, the training ball comprising: a generally spherical ball having an outer surface; a continuous stitching on the outer surface of the ball, said stitching defining a horseshoe-shaped boundary, the stitching connecting coverings of the ball together; the ball including a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere being separated by a stripe.
 7. The training ball of claim 6 wherein the stripe is b 0.75 inches in width and 2.00 inches in width.
 8. The training device of claim 6 wherein the stripe runs perpendicular to the stitching.
 9. The training device of claim 6 wherein the stripe runs oblique to the stitching.
 10. The training device of claim 6 as wherein the stripe is between 0.75 inches and 2.00 inches in width and runs either perpendicular or oblique to the stitching. 